Bible Prophesy (Paul's Gospel In Romans)

I had planned to read Zechariah over the holidays. I thought matching up verses in Zechariah to verses in Revelations would be a pleasant, and edifying exercise. I thought this would give a fuller picture of the Second Coming.

The problem I encountered was Zechariah did not seem to fit neatly in the story of the Second Coming as I thought it would. With a sense of confusion, I ended up reading Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zecharia and Malaki. I also ended up reading about the Great Assembly and the Sanhedrim.

Haggai 2
23 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerub'babel, my servant, the son of She-al'ti-el, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.

The above passage about Zerub'babel, for example, seems at odds with passages about Jesus. It appears to me that.....

The books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi, if read literally, appear to be at odds with the Bible prophesy found in Isaiah, Daniel and Revelations. These books seem very Jewish. These books do seem more useful in understanding New Testament Hebrews than the Second Coming.

Romans 10
1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

I intend to continue considering this subject.

Haggai, Zechariah, Zerub'babel, and Joshua, Son of Jehozadak

Zechariah 3
8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

Hebrew tradition, which appears to have had some influence on our Baptist forefathers, concludes that the BRANCH does not refer to the Christ but to Zerub'babel, the righteous Hebrew king (or Governor) of Judea in the post-captivity. Following is more on Zerub'babel, the Christ-like figure.

Haggai 2
23 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerub'babel She-al'ti-el, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.

Those must have been wonderful, hopeful times. The Hebrews were back in Jerusalem, the temple was being built.  They had a good king, Zerub'babel, they had a good priest, they had Joshua, the righteous high priest, and they had two great prophets, Haggai and Zechariah.

Kind of reminds me of Richard Nixon and Billie Graham. Then again, maybe not....